I’m here because I can’t be there. I have multiple invisible autoimmune diseases that make it painful and sometimes impossible to tolerate prolonged walking, sitting, standing, and cold, wet, or heat. I also often need to be near restrooms. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be seen and counted.

Thanks to my very expensive meds and doctors, I’m able to serve trauma survivors and the transgender community as a psychologist, writer, and yoga teacher (www.drjoyoga.com). I’m queer and genderfluid as well as a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. I am trying to channel my fears for myself and our nation into productive action.